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Sherwin Williams Alabaster Undertones Explained! (Why Do We See Yellow?)

    Is there a world more confusing than white paint? Alabaster is a go-to creamy white option from Sherwin Williams, and probably their best seller. But what if you are scared of yellow, pink, or other crazy undertones?

    Various undertones that Alabaster can have over a white background.

    Today we will look at all the different faces of Sherwin Williams Alabaster so that you can make the decision, and finally get some sleep!

    What Are the Typical Undertones of Sherwin Williams Alabaster?

    First up let’s discuss what a “normal” look is for Alabaster. I would say that this is a pretty good idea of what it usually looks like:

    Closeup of a fireplace wall with white brick painted in SW Alabaster and Alabaster on the walls
    Photo Credit: @spacedesignokc

    Yes, that is Alabaster on both the brick and walls. The brick is just reflecting more light. (It may also be a different sheen that is specific to masonry.)

    You can see that it looks white, but a little warm.

    Here is another very typical look to Alabaster:

    Sherwin Williams Alabaster on a wall behind a floating shelf of knick knacks
    Photo Credit: @ludic_living

    On the warm side of typical, this exterior is quite a good example:

    Alabaster with white and beige undertones highlighted in paint bubbles
    Background photo: @farmhouseintheboro

    You can see that Alabaster is warm with a creamy beige undertone.

    Here is one more on the warmer side of typical:

    The trim color here is the slightly more neutral SW Pure White. (For more from this house, or to see other white-on-white combinations, check out my post: White Walls with White Trim? Alabaster with Pure White & More!)

    This is a bit of a sticky one. I do think that Alabaster manages to be fairly neutral in it’s creamy-ness, but some may find it to be too yellow for their taste.

    But is Alabaster Actually Too Yellow?

    Technically, Alabaster is not yellow at all. It’s in the orange color family, hanging out where we tend to find beiges and greiges.

    Alabaster color dot above a hex code chart for the color, over w photo of Alabaster walls with Extra White fireplace trim.
    Background photo by: @slpaintingsf

    When we are talking about whites, you either like them creamy, or you don’t. I tend to live in the “don’t” camp, but you all are slowly converting me!

    The reality is that everyone does see color differently.

    Here are some things that people have said about their personal experiences with Alabaster:

    “We just did Alabaster and it’s really white! I see no yellow and I was worried too!” – DF

    “I just painted with Alabaster. It does pull yellow in some areas, depending on light. It works for me with my flooring, granite, and cabinets.” – KM

    “I looove Alabaster in my home. It’s not yellow, blue, pink, or dingy. It’s a beautiful white!” – CE

    “Try Greek Villa. We started with Alabaster and had to repaint a couple rooms because it was so yellow.” – KL

    “We love it! Looks white but has very subtle warmth rather than a cool-toned white…Zero yellow undertones as this is exactly what I was avoiding.” – AB

    I tried to be balanced here, but the vast majority of people who personally tried Alabaster, said that it did not look yellow to them.

    “I used Alabaster with no regrets. There is a reason many designers recommend it. Not stark white, no weird yellow or peachy undertones.” – JA

    For those that did find it yellow, this homeowner makes a crucial point:

    “I have Alabaster and I see no yellow. Now I used Alabaster as trim also. I think if you have a bright white trim and you use Alabaster, you may see yellow.” – CC

    When Alabaster Looks Yellow

    This is 100% correct. Alabaster will look significantly more creamy with a brighter or cooler trim color:

    Alabaster walls and ceiling with Extra White Trim
    Alabaster with Extra White trim – Photo Credit: @slpaintingsf

    In this kitchen, Alabaster looks quite yellow next to the cooler white of SW Extra White.

    Even in this home there are variations with the contrast. On a larger wall it is a little less:

    Sherwin Willams Alabaster in a living room and Extra White on the trim
    Photo Credit: @slpaintingsf

    And in the bathroom with more true white, it’s a little stronger.

    SW Alabaster Walls with Extra White trim in a bathroom
    Photo Credit: @slpaintingsf

    I will say that Alabaster is only yellow in the sense that a piece of paper might “yellow” over time. We aren’t talking lemon or butter, just creamy.

    For someone who doesn’t look at paint all day ‘ere day, if something is creamy, we tend to think “yellow.” So in that sense, I would not say that Alabaster is a true white, and you may find it looks a bit “yellow,” but I use the term loosely!

    Here is another look at the most yellow that Alabaster can be:

    Alabaster in a living room with an arched doorway on the opposite end.
    Photo Credit: @spacedesignokc

    You can see on the left the color is pretty neutral, so it’s likely warm sunlight or reflections making it look more yellow on the right. There it is none the less!

    With Alabaster as your only white, it will look white:

    All Alabaster Walls and trim
    Alabaster walls and trim – Photo Credit: @in_vest_homes

    In fact my dropper tool thinks it looks supremely neutral in this home:

    Alabaster looking totally neutral and white in a bathroom
    Photo Credit: @in_vest_homes

    Here it is again in a home that has Alabaster on walls, trim, and ceilings:

    Alabaster Walls and vaulted ceilings with dark wood beams and a black feature block above a beige stone fireplace
    Photo Credit: @webbstead

    Very white! Let’s follow that up with the same home where it is a bit more yellow:

    Alabaster on a wall of windows behind a staircase with living room furniture in front of it and a fiddle leaf fig to one side
    Photo Credit: @webbstead

    Finally here is an exterior where Alabaster looks a bit yellow, but I do think this photo was taken near sunset golden hour:

    Alabaster on an exterior where it looks creamy but yellow leaning
    Photo by: @humblehilltn

    Here is a more neutral look to this same house:

    An epic drone shot of Alabaster siding on a white farmhouse at sunrise in front of rolling hills.
    Photo Credit: @humblehilltn

    If you are looking for a creamy white, Alabaster is not a yellowy option, and you are safe to proceed. However if you HATE yellow, you probably won’t like Alabaster.

    One final note on the yellow debate:

    “Alabaster will be yellow if you color match at Home Depot. Make sure you get it from Sherwin Williams.” – Kimberly

    When it comes to white paint colors I really think Kimberly is correct. There is so little pigment being added that there isn’t much room for error or inconsistencies between brands. You would be better off choosing a similar white you like.

    OMG My Alabaster White Looks Green!

    That was a heading on a Houzz post I saw, so you know I had to click!

    Alabaster does not have any green undertones and should never look green. So what gives?

    Well to be honest, I could not see what this kind lady was talking about. (You can see the pics in that link for yourself.) She had only just paid big bucks to get her cabinets painted, and I think she was scrutinizing the color for a bit too long.

    This is the closest thing that I could find to Alabaster looking green:

    SW Alabaster cabinets in daylight with the slightest green undertone
    Photo Credit: @grcabinetpainting

    Some people may be more sensitive to the blue glare of daylight, or a daylight bulb, on the creamy tone of Alabaster. Blue and yellow makes green, so that may cause the appearance of a green undertone where there isn’t one.

    In other photos of this same kitchen by GR Fine Finishes (@grcabinetpainting) you can see that Alabaster looks creamy white:

    Alabaster cabinets with brown laminate countertops in a neutral kitchen
    Photo Credit: @grcabinetpainting

    Of course it’s always good to test your paint colors, but Alabaster looking green is not something you should worry about.

    Every white paint color will be somewhat reflective, but your guests won’t ever ask “Hey, are those cabinets mint?”

    Does Alabaster Ever Look Pink?

    Alabaster does not have pink undertones. Theoretically it could look slightly pink when paired with yellow colors. That is the only scenario where you would have to worry about it, and I haven’t personally seen it.

    Alabaster paint drop with a yellow cream by Sherwin Williams called Carambola. Alabaster looks slightly pink in comparison.

    I did actually read someone complaining that they tried Alabaster for trim and it was too pink, but as suspected they had yellowy cream walls.

    It’s worth noting that Sherwin Williams Alabaster doesn’t ever have peach undertones like some other creamy whites do.

    Alabaster’s Beige Undertones

    Personally I love a beige undertone, so I’m excited to look at these photos!

    Here is Alabaster with the strongest beige undertone ever:

    Alabaster where it looks beige on cabinets
    Photo by: @mldesignskc

    I haven’t seen it looking this beige before or since, but they did clarify that it was Alabaster. My best guess was that they used a cool gray white for the ceilings that wasn’t a lot lighter than Alabaster.

    Maybe SW Ceiling Bright White could achieve this look. My advice: If you like this look, try Sherwin Williams Shoji White instead.

    Here is Alabaster looking quite beige on a brick exterior:

    Alabaster white brick exterior with Rookwood Dark Green Door and Rock Bottom shutters
    Photo Credit: @thehybridhome

    If you like this look, see more inspo in my post: Stunning White Paint Colors for Classic Brick Exteriors

    I would say that most of the time people say that Alabaster has a beige undertone because it is a warm neutral, and it doesn’t truly look beige.

    Here is one last example of what I think is a very typical look for Alabaster:

    Alabaster Walls and Trim in a foyer
    Photo Credit: @bigmamashousereno
    Alabaster on walls and trim in a living room
    Photo Credit: @bigmamashousereno

    I hope very much that this helped you decide whether or not to dive into Alabaster! If you are leaning another direction, the most popular alternatives currently are Greek Villa and White Dove.

    Here are some more Alabaster related posts:

    Swatch of Dover White in front of a picture of Dover White on a bedroom wall, above a swatch of Alabaster in front of a photo of Alabaster on a living room wall.
    A snowy mountain scene above a photo of white marble arches. Graphic reads Snowbound vs Alabaster
    Alabaster and Natural choice on a wooden background with flour and natural colored yarn.